Archimandrite Seraphim Demopoulos (+2008)
…A fearsome demon is the demon of
the flesh, which wars against the Christian day and night, in countless ways:
through sight—guard your eyes very carefully, for they are the window through
which death enters into your life—through hearing, the imagination, the memory,
speech, desire, food, drink, sleep, rest, and countless other ways devised by
the malice and hatred of mankind of the devil.
Against every attack, set a
vigorous defense, saying a stubborn no and repelling the enemy with all your
strength. One retreat prepares the way for another, and one repulse assists
another. Many retreats and negotiations bring defeat, while many repulses bring
victory and the final rout of the demons.
Flee the occasions of sin.
Television [today we would say: the internet], printed materials, images,
sightseeing, journeys, excursions, drinking, conversations with persons who
cause harm, and whatever reason indicates to you is dangerous.
Beware of the demon of [carnal]
impurity. It is hideous, foul-smelling, abhorrent, shameless, insolent; it
reeks with the most disgusting filth and stench.
Fearsome also is the demon of
gluttony: wanting to eat much food—flavorful, tasty, and elaborately prepared.
A fearsome demon. It opens the way for other demons. By conquering the demon of
gluttony, you conquer many passions and become a free man. The glutton is
avaricious, gloomy, discontented, and quarrelsome.
One demon that torments modern
man is the demon of sorrow. Woe to him who falls into its black, hairy hands.
He is freed from it only with difficulty. Much toil and a great struggle are
required. This demon does not release its victim until it has rendered him
useless—whether through some bodily illness, some mental affliction, or
deterioration over time. Beware greatly of this demon. At a bend in every man’s
road of life, this demon waits patiently to leap and fasten itself upon you,
and it does not abandon you until it has put you to death. The victim of this
demon gives up on life. He is unfit for any spiritual struggle whatsoever:
neither prayer, nor fasting, nor recollection, nor psalmody, nor laughter, nor
work, nor recollection and meditation upon God. Sorrow and gloom are the
painful end of a sinful life: utter destruction.
Beware of this demon. In order to
overcome it, strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and approach Holy Communion
frequently, for it is the medicine for every illness of soul and body.
For all the passions, however,
behind each of which a demon lies hidden, the physician and counselor is a good
spiritual father: a spiritual father who possesses grace and experience, so
that he may be capable of becoming the good physician of your soul. Take care,
therefore, diligently to find such a physician; obey him and place your trust
in him, so that you may progress spiritually and attain salvation in Christ.
Greek
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